Step to it: Seven Ways to Spice Up Your Walks

It’s enjoyable. It’s a form of eco-friendly transportation. It’s exercise (and even an Olympic sport). It’s inexpensive—awesome entertainment. And it’s an unparalleled way to experience a place and to connect with your community.

It’s walking.

With many parts of the country drinking in more daylight and waving goodbye to winter, we here at RTC thought it was a prime time to let walking step into the spotlight and to share a few suggestions to spice up your walks. Plus, with Opening Day for Trails just around the corner on Saturday, April 13—there’s no better time to spring onto the trail for a walk solo, with friends or at a special Opening Day event.

So, lace up your sneakers ... and let’s get ready to ramble!

1Mix Up Your Meetups

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Having your 2 p.m. meeting in the same conference room can get a bit dull week after week. Or, perhaps you’re searching for some new and creative ways to fit in a little fun with your friends and family members?

2Take a Hike

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You might be wondering, does a hike technically count as a form of walking? Is a hike a walk, but a walk not a hike?

Whether distinguished by terrain, distance, geography, topography, speed or even footwear, we couldn’t definitively tell you what causes them to be categorized differently. But we can tell you it’s what they have in common that’s far more important: They’re both excellent mediums for exercise, connection and exploration. Going for a hike can take you thru thousands of miles, from the mountains of Maine all the way to Georgia, or on a short-but-sweet trek through a wildlife refuge while still within the footprint of a major city. Wherever your hiking adventure takes you, you can expect it to leave behind roughly 500 calories per hour! And its benefits don’t stop there; hiking can also improve cardiovascular health; strengthen those calves, glutes, core and other muscles; and leave you in a better mood.

As people across the country will be hitting the trail on April 13 to celebrate Opening Day for Trails, why not use this kickoff celebration for the spring trail season to kick off your walking goal? You can set a walking goal to complete by Opening Day, use it to launch a new one—or create a combination of the two! Either way, you can use April 13 as a milestone for your commitment to a healthier, happier you.

And what’s more—these get-togethers are a great way for you to get outside and explore your community. To plan a scenic route with greenery and without the constant whir of passing cars, try going by trail! (Note: Your local trails may even host a walking program already—such as the health-based Prescribe-a-Trail series on the Circuit Trails in the Greater Philly/Camden area.)

5Walk Smart

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Whether you’re a student yourself, the guardian of one and/or an educator of many—walking to and from school is a smart way to start and end your days of learning. It doesn’t take an Einstein to know that letting students stretch their legs during a day filled with exercising their minds is a bright idea—but Ph.D.s across the country have done the research, tested the hypothesis and made a strong case.

As car-free routes surrounded by nature, trails can be a safe and mentally stimulating way for students to access schools; and it presents them with important outdoor time, which has been shown to also improve health and wellness. If you’re interested in guiding the bright minds of tomorrow on their walks to school, learn how you can launch and get involved in a Walking Bus program!

6Go for a W-A-L-K

Photo by Laura Pedrick, AP Images

Quiz time: Who’s got puppy-dog eyes, a tilted head and slightly pricked ears—and wants to take a walk with you? Your puppy dog—that’s who! And if the eyes weren’t quite enough to get you moving, Fido’s need to get regular exercise to live a long and healthy life (and to avoid an “accident” on the rug) will surely motivate you.

Beyond prompting you to take those regular exercise breaks, your dog is both your best friend and biggest cheerleader while you’re walking—providing the support and tail wags you need to conquer that last half-mile! Trails are terrific places for you and your furry friend to walk together, but when you go, please be mindful of the trail’s rules and other trail users.

DON'T MISS

7Find a Trail

Exploring the trail with a loved one is a great way to spend time together | Photo courtesy USDA Forest Service

With more than 34,000 miles of multiuse trails across the country, there are—literally— thousands of opportunities for you to get out and get walking! If you’re searching for a local jaunt or long-distance wander, you can use TrailLink.com—our free trail-finder website and app filled with helpful maps, descriptions, user reviews and photos—to discover new pathways and re-discover old favorites.